The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-18
THE BOX TRADE OF MEMPHIS.
What r. L, Cochran &c Co. Are Doing
to Build Up the City.

IL has always been q pleasant duty with
The AREA TO faithfully record the inccp-
ton and development OF Memphis indus
tries. During n recent inspection OF Chcl-
sea and the northern part OF this city, our
attention was particularly attracted by
what Messrs. II. l.. Cochran K Co. arc do
ing in that vicinity.
This old, reliable and ~enterprising firm,
composed now Of the brothers, Richard l..
aud Marcus Cochran, needs no introduce
ton TO the readers Of THE APPEAL, with
whom their names have become familiar
~ saw.mill owners and manufacturers OF
boxes, doors. sash, blinds and holdings.
Since the death Of their lamented father
they have carried on the saw-mill business
nj the navy yard, and from time 10 time
have added such improvements rs in
creased capacity ann economical labor.
Their saw.mill, being equipped with q
steam or shotgun feed THE cylinder OF
which is iorty-six feet long,, steam log
turner's and live rollers, has a daily capacity
OF 90, 900 feet Of lumber. and an annual
capacity OF 10, 600, 900 feet.
Although Cochran x Co.'s saw-mill is
now one OF the largest and best In tho
south, they propose 10 erect nj once an
other saw min several hundred yards
further north. on Wolf river, to have an
annual capacity Of lb,OO0,O M feet. This
will cniiile them 10 rank irst among
southern lumbcrmcn.
But what We wish particularly TO speak
Of is their immense box trade and planning
mill business.
In 1852 they were the first 10 engage in
the manufacture Of boxes in Memphis, by
erecting a large two.siofy box factory adj
joining their navy yard saw-mill. This Of
itself was the largest Of its kind in the
south, hut 10 such proportions has their
box trade expanded they have been COM
pclled 10 erect another and still larger two
story box factory on Main aud Keel streets,
Chelsea, which is as near perfection in
construction and arrangement as human
ingenuity can devise. A brief description
OF the latter is in order.
The main building, G0x90 feet, Is devoted
exclusively to the box trade, and a wing,
30xiO feet, contains flooring, molding and
weather. boarding machines. Both are
substantially constructed, shcoted with
corrugated iron, and the machinery they
contain Is all of the newest and best.
Several uf these machines are solely aud
completely the inventions OF Mr.. Richard
Cochran, who, having travelled extensively
in the north aud west in search Of the
finest machinery money can buy, SAYS
their box factory is the largest he has seen
in all his travels, aud morc completely and
better equipped than any.
The boiler aud cngine-room Is Of brick,
32X32 feet, conveniently arranged, and the
s~having-housc, lixl6 feet, is provided with
q patent dust arrcstcr.
Mr.. Marcus Cochran has personally SUI
pcrintcndcd the arrangement OF the fans
and blowers which carry all shalings, dust
and slwdust from each machine in the
box factory, either 10 the shaying.housc or
directly TO the boiler, in front Of which is
a platform or table, the only one OF its
kind in America, possibly Ia the world,
which enables the fireman 20 conduct the
fuel directly from the fans 20 the fire.
This latter Is u very valuable invention,
but Mr.. Marcus Cochran, the inventor, Is
too modest 10 have IL patented.
The office at the new box factory Is q
rather unique affair, aud gives one the i'm
preston that beauty in construction has
not been totally sacrificed 10 business con-
Nenience.
We arr pleased 10 state that the present
box trade OF this firm II nearly double lis
capacity. For such men Of energy, pluck,
and sterling executive ability, TnE APPEAL
predicts the highest measure Of success,
and bcspcaks q continued liberal patronage.